Posted by Elena on Jul 23, 2012 in Writing Skills | Comments Off on Editing Strategy: Ask Who Did What?

An easy way to find out if a sentence needs an actor is to ask the question WHO did what?

Look at this sentence: It is requested that you update the regulations occasionally.

First ask, WHO did what? Someone (we do not know whom) requests something. Change the sentence to put in an actor:

The Vice-president of Sales, Marjorie Dunbar, requests that you update the regulations occasionally.

(Note: Careful readers might notice that occasionally is vague, that it could be replaced by what the recommended time period is. The Vice-president of Sales, Marjorie Dunbar, requests that you update the regulations yearly.)